PU VC's post gets academics to work hard

CHANDIGARH: Panjab University is offering some lessons in lobbying as the tenure of its present vice-chancellor RC Sobti comes to an end in July this year. Many contenders for the post have emerged with there also being a strong possibility of the present VC getting another term.
Biotechnology professor Sobti, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year, is stated to have stepped up efforts for an extension.
Though no panels have been formed for the post, some senior academics are said to be campaigning for it. Sources say a former dean university instruction is also in the reckoning.
They said he had a good chance of being made VC last time also. Others in the race are said to be Namita Aggarwal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), a director of one PU institute and a dean of faculty.
Some other JNU academicians are also reportedly making efforts. Former department of philosophy chairperson Satya Pal Gautam was a strong contender till he was appointed VC of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
Sources said the list of contenders is expected to swell in the near future.
Some teachers felt that Sobti���s efforts to improve the university���s standards and the recent national honour would help him get the extension. They stated that 50 programmes were launched in the university during Sobti���s tenure.
Except for MM Puri, who was the VC from 1997-2000, all other PU VCs have been selected for the post twice.
Usually the university���s chancellor ��� vice-president of India ��� constitutes a search committee to recommend the name of the next VC to him.The name is finalized just a few days before the VC���s term ends.